Last week, firefighters from Nottingham’s London Road and Highfields Fire Station responded to a fire at a student accommodation block in Lenton, which was caused by an air fryer in the communal kitchen area.
As the fire started to spread, the building’s sprinkler system was activated, containing the fire and preventing any further fire damage.
Once firefighters arrived at the incident on Tuesday, 11 February, following a call just before 10 pm, occupants had already been evacuated. They treated one casualty at the scene for smoke inhalation.
This incident is one of four in the past 12 months that have been mitigated by a sprinkler system, highlighting the vital role of sprinkler systems in modern buildings.
Group Manager Chris Emmott attended the incident. He said: “Sprinklers are one of the most effective methods of fire protection, offering automatic activation to suppress fires before they spread.
“We are thankful that this building had a working sprinkler system in place. This could have been a much worse situation, but thanks to the prompt response from the sprinklers, we were able to extinguish the fire quickly and keep everyone safe.”
While the sprinkler system helped mitigate the damage, this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of fire safety in the kitchen.
Chris continued: “Many families across Nottinghamshire own an air fryer, so it is crucial that users are aware of the fire risks that may come with it. We are seeing an increase in fires involving air fryers, and we have attended nine in the last ten months, so we are urging families to use them safely.
“Appliances such as air fryers should never be left unattended when in use, and when using them, we advise that they be placed in a ventilated area and not used under a cupboard or overhead cabinet.
“Never overfill them, clean them after every use, and never plug an air fryer, or any appliance for that matter, into an extension lead.
“Finally, I want to remind occupants never to fight a fire themselves – get out, stay out, and call 999.”
